Exclusive Interview with Mitchell Kummen from DC’s Legends of Tomorrow

Mitchell Kummen is a Canadian actor who has been working on television and films steadily from a young age. He started his career with the role of a paperboy in the Canadian television series “Less Than Kind,” and has since starred on numerous projects including but not limited to The Tomorrow People, Minority Report, and Ties That Bind. Recently, Mitchell guest-starred in DC’s Legends of Tomorrow as the younger version of Mick Rory, Dominic Purcell’s character.

What first got you interested in acting?

Well, that is a funny story actually. When I was a kid, I spent my entire time watching all the Jackie Chan movies. So, I said to my mom when I was eight, while she was peeling potatoes, “how do I get to be Jackie Chan?” (laughs). And she said facetiously while peeling potatoes, “I don’t know, become an actor.” So, there was an open casting call where I auditioned for a show in Winnipeg that was shooting called “Less Than Kind.” My dad took me to that and he kind of just thought “okay, maybe this is a phase he’s going through.” Well, it wasn’t because I booked “Less Than Kind” and the rest is history.

That’s pretty funny.

Yeah, I know. (laughs) It makes a good story.

You can thank your mom for your acting career.

Yes, I can!

Photo Credit: Dean Buscher/The CW.

Were you familiar with the DC TV universe before you were cast in Legends?

I was, yes.

Had you seen all of the shows?

I had not actually. I have barely seen any of the shows, which is weird because I’m a big DC fan.

There’s so many of them, it’s hard to keep up!

I know! And I’m so busy but I would love to.

What was it like working with the cast of Legends?

Fantastic! The thing that I loved about them was that they were very welcoming. The first day I got there, they treated me like I had been there from the beginning. They didn’t treat me like I was some guest star on an episode that they were never gonna see again. They treated me like I was one of them and I really liked that. They were super nice, super awesome, super funny.

What was it like meeting Dominic Purcell?

That was neat. The thing about Dominic is he’s such a strong fantastic actor. That really made me–you know, performing with him and acting off of him made my reactions and my acting that much stronger. Because it’s one thing to be a good actor and it’s another thing to work with a good actor. When you’re working with a good actor, everything comes naturally. You feed off of their energy. So, working with an amazing actor like Dominic Purcell, I was able to step up my acting game as well by reacting off of him. He’s just awesome and funny in general too.

Photo Credit: Dean Buscher/The CW.

Do you think we’ll see Younger Mick in the future sometime?

I hope so! I’m not sure but I hope so. (laughs).

I have to ask, what was it like getting slapped by Caity Lotz?

Oh, that was great! (laughs). That was hilarious because when we did that scene and she slapped me the first time, when I went “Ow!” and put my hand on my cheek, I put it on the wrong cheek. She slapped me on my right cheek and I put my hand on my left cheek. And so Rachel, the director, was like “Okay, that was good but maybe put your hand on the other cheek.” So I looked like a complete moron (laughs). But other than that, the scene was great and it was fun.

You said you were a big fan of DC so I’m assuming you read comic books growing up?

Yep, and I still do.

Who’s your favorite superhero?

Definitely Batman.

Of course!

I know that’s so cliché and popular but I like him because he doesn’t have any superpowers. I like Superman, but let’s be honest, Superman is really overpowered.

Yeah, he’s too perfect.

He’s like a God that can die from a rock. So I like Batman because he’s just a regular human with technology and gadgets on his side.

Yeah, makes us feel like we can do something like too.

Exactly!

If you could play any character in one of the DC shows, who would it be and why?

I would have to say probably either Firestorm or Atom. Firestorm because I think it’d be neat to shoot fire out of my hands and Atom because how cool would it be to be able to shrink and then resize? You could do anything you want! Actually also maybe Pilgrim because then I could stop things in midair and pretend that I’m a jedi using the Force.

What’s your favorite superpower?

Either super strength, super intelligence,–ah that is a difficult question! Every single superpower that has ever existed known to man.

Maybe you could pick one where you could try on a different superpower every day?

Yeah, that’s a good one! Or, the power to know everything because then I’d know how to get the other powers.

Amna is an absolute geek for television and movies. When she is not freaking out over fictional characters and TV shows, she is found writing poetry and original fiction, and occasionally trying her hand at acting. She enjoys good food and good music, and hopes to one day be a successful actress and writer.